PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon man who killed a police officer nearly 25 years ago is a step closer to leaving prison after an appeals court ruled the state parole board incorrectly rescinded his release.
The board planned to release Sidney Dean Porter in June 2013 but objections from then-Gov. John Kitzhaber and law enforcement officers led the board to reverse itself.
The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday the board did not a valid reason to postpone the release.
Kristina Edmunson, spokeswoman for Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, says the state is reviewing the decision and has yet to decide whether to petition the Oregon Supreme Court for review.
Porter bludgeoned Frank Ward with firewood in 1992 after the John Day police officer responded to a domestic violence call.
Filed under: Crime, Editor's Pick, Oregon
